Liverpool bring back their transfer guru Edwards as CEO of football

Liverpool have appointed Michael Edwards as their CEO of football, Fenway Sports Group, the American owners of the club, confirmed on Tuesday.

Edwards served at Liverpool between 2011 and 2022 across various roles ranging from chief analyst, head of methodology, technical director and sporting director. He played a pivotal role in the club's ascent since 2016.

Liverpool won their first top English league title during the Premier League era in the 2019-20 campaign, finished as the runners-up twice and claimed the UEFA Champions League title during the 2018-19 season. They couldn't have achieved such success without the following star players acquired under Edwards as the sporting director.

Sadio Mane, 41.2 million euros (about $45 million) from Southampton in 2016, Mohamed Salah, 42 million euros (about $45.9 million) from AS Roma in 2017, Virgil van Dijk, 84.65 million euros (about $92.45 million) from Southampton in 2018 and Naby Keita, 60 million euros (about $65.5 million) from RB Leipzig in 2018.

Indeed, Edwards excelled not only in acquiring talent but also in selling players to fund transfers. For example, it only cost Liverpool 13 million euros (about $14.2 million) to land Philippe Coutinho 2013. When Barcelona signed him in 2018, the transaction brought in 135 million euros (about $147.4 million) for "The Reds."

However, the most significant thing Edwards did for Liverpool was hiring Jurgen Klopp as their manager in 2015. Now that Klopp will leave Anfield at the end of the 2023-24 season, Edwards' first major challenge is to find Klopp's successor.

"It was vital for me that, if I did return, it had to be with renewed vigor and energy," Edwards said in a statement. "In practice, this means having fresh challenges and opportunities. As such, one of the biggest factors in my decision is the commitment to acquire and oversee an additional club, growing this area of their organization."

Liverpool are currently in the second place with 64 points, the same as Arsenal above them, in the Premier League, after 28 games. Manchester City are one point behind them.